Napoleon: A Life by Adam Zamoyski. Born into a poor family, Napoleon was by 26 a general and Emperor of the French at 35. This biography explains him against the background of the European Enlightenment. Published in October 2018.

Napoleon: A Very Short Introduction by David A. Bell. Dispelling myths, the author provides a concise and lively portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte's character and career. Published in October 2018.

Napoleon Bonaparte by William Doyle. A brief biography of the man who rose from obscure origins and turned Europe upside down in a space of less than 20 years.

Bonaparte: 1769-1802 by Patrice Gueniffey, translated by Steven Rendall. Follows Napoleon Bonaparte from his obscure boyhood in Corsica, to his meteoric rise during the Revolutionary wars, to his proclamation as First Consul for Life in 1802.

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts. The first one-volume biography to take advantage of the publication of Napoleon's 33,000 letters. At last we see him as he was: decisive, surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his errant wife Josephine.

Napoleon by Felix M. Markham. A reconstruction of Napoleon's life based on newly rediscovered documents, including the letters of his wife Marie-Louise.

By Philip Dwyer

Napoleon: The Path to Power by Philip Dwyer. This biography focuses on the evolution of Napoleon as a leader and debunks myths about him, revealing a ruthless, manipulative, driven man whose character has been disguised by the public image he fashioned.

Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power by Philip Dwyer. In this second volume of Dwyer's biography, Napoleon, now 30, takes his position as head of the French state after the 1799 coup.

Different Points of View

The Boyhood and Youth of Napoleon by Oscar Browning. The formative years between Napoleon's birth in 1796 and the siege of Toulon in 1793, when he established himself on the world stage.

The Eagle in Splendour: Inside the Court of Napoleon by Philip Mansel. The grandeur and extravagance of the court of Napoleon I surpassed even that of that Louis XIV. This book brings to life the court's magnificence and rigid hierarchy, with stories of mistresses, fortune-seekers, servants and courtiers.

Napoleon: A Political Life by Steven Englund. This biography portrays Napoleon as deeply committed to the French Revolution, not to any specific nationality. The author explores Napoleon's power over the popular imagination, and argues against the theory that Napoleon was poisoned.

Napoleon: "My Ambition Was Great" by Thierry Lentz, translated by Laurel Hirsch. A history, illustrated with more than 180 images, including paintings, prints, and maps. Includes excerpts from Napoleon's letters and journals, statements by his contemporaries, and other documents.

Napoleon by R. S. Alexander. How Napoleon's reputation evolved and how it has been altered by such events as the World Wars, and by association with such figures as Hitler and Mussolini.

Napoleon for Dummies by J. David Markham. An accessible guide to the life and legacy of France's most famous leader.

Napoleon: The End of Glory by Munro Price. This book explores why Napoleon lost his crown, exposing his blindness, intransigence and miscalculations; his preference for war and his declining ability to wage it; and his nearly pathological fear of a dishonorable peace.

The Napoleonic Empire by Geoffrey Ellis. Was Napoleon the heir of the French Revolution, or did he distort and abandon its principles? This book offers a synthesis of the central issues in that debate.

Napoleon on Project Management by Jerry Manas. Explores the key principles behind Napoleon's successes and the lessons to be learned from his downfall, and applies them to modern-day project management and leadership.

Clisson & Eugenie by Napoleon Bonaparte, translated by Peter Hicks. Triumphant on the field of battle, Clisson turns his back on worldly success to marry Eugénie, but how long will their love survive? Written when Napoleon was 26, this romance shows how he viewed love, women and military life.

Napoleon on the Art of War by Napoleon I, edited by Jay Luvaas. Provides Napoleon's views on everything, from the preparation of his forces to the organization, planning, and execution of his battles.

Napoleon's Mameluke: The Memoirs of Roustam Raeza edited by Jonathan North. Roustam Raza was sold into slavery in Egypt, then given to Napoleon in 1799. For 15 years he was Napoleon's personal bodyguard. His reminiscences include Russia in 1812 and life in the imperial palaces.

Napoleon's Marshals by R. P. Dunn-Pattison. Reveals the bravery, incompetence, loyalty, and strategic brilliance of the opportunity-hungry nobles who helped Napoleon retain the imperial crown. First published in 1909.

Napoleon: His Wives and Women by Christopher Hibbert. About the women behind Napoleon, from his strong-willed mother and three sisters to his wives and mistresses. The emperor had passionate relationships, wildly worshipping certain women while disdaining others.

The Hundred Days by Joseph Roth, translated by Richard Panchyk. Set during the period between Napoleon's escape from Elba and his defeat at Waterloo, this novel describes the emperor's transformation from godlike ruler to ordinary, humble man.

Napoleon's Last Island: A Novel by Thomas Keneally. Banished to the island of Saint Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte finds an unexpected ally: a spirited British girl named Betsy Balcombe.

For the King by Catherine Delors. On Christmas Eve 1800, a bomb explodes along Napoleon Bonaparte's route. Chief Inspector Roch Miquel must arrest the assassins before they attack again.

Novels About Napoleon's Death

Black Rock by Louise Hoole. Fiction. Set in 1821 on the island of St Helena during the week between Napoleon's death and burial, this historical who-done-it draws upon the letters and memoirs of those who made up the ex-emperor's last court.

The Death of Napoleon by Simon Leys, translated by Patricia Clancy. Novel that imagines what might have happened if Napoleon had not died on St. Helena.

The Emperor's Body by Peter Books. Twenty years after his death, Napoleon becomes a token in a political game to appease the enemies of the monarchy.

Military Fiction

The Battle by Patrick Rambaud. A novelization of the battle of Essling, Napoleon's first major defeat.

Other Bonapartes

Napoleon on Elba: The Diary of an Eyewitness to Exile by Sir Neil Campbell. In April 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba. Part guardian, part spy, Neill Campbell monitored the former emperor and conversed with him almost daily. His diary records events as Napoleon builds an empire in miniature on Elba.

Escape From Elba

Napoleon and the Hundred Days by Stephen Coote. In 1815, the news arrived that Napoleon had escaped captivity and was returning to France. It would be just 100 days before he met his enemies in a final, epic battle.

One Hundred Days: Napoleon's Road to Waterloo by Alan Schom. Account of Napoleon's final campaign. Landing unopposed near Cannes, Napoleon and his tiny army began their march through a hostile countryside. Thousands of men joined his ranks, causing Louis XVIII to flee from Paris. All roads now led to Waterloo.

1815: The Return of Napoleon by Paul Britten Austin. Presents the story of Napoleon's escape from Elba and his march on Paris in the words of eyewitnesses and participants.

Napoleon on St Helena

Terrible Exile: The Last Days of Napoleon on St Helena by Brian Unwin. The most powerful and famous man of his age, Napoleon spent the last years of his life in captivity. How did he react to exile on St Helena, and how did the other inhabitants of the island respond to his presence?

St Helena Acquaintances

Betsy and the Emperor by Anne Whitehead. Brings to life Napoleon's last years on Saint Helena, revealing the role of the Balcombe family and pretty teenager Betsy Balcombe.

A Diary of St. Helena (1816, 1817) by Clementina E. Malcolm. The journal of Lady Malcolm, wife of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, naval commander at St Helena, who recorded her husband's conversations with Napoleon.

Napoleon's Wars: An International History, 1803-1815 by Charles Esdaile. Argues that Napoleon was motivated by his insatiable desire for fame, and portrays his wars as the consequence of rulers willing to take immense risks that resulted in the extinction of entire countries.

Stopping Napoleon: War and Intrigue in the Mediterranean by Tom Pocock. For a decade, the Mediterranean became the scene of danger and battles dictated by British determination to stop Napoleon. Bizarre rulers had to be flattered or fought, including the Bourbons in Palmero and Napoleon's dashing brother-in-law, the King of Naples.

Napoleon and Austria

Marengo and Hohenlinden: Napoleon's Rise to Power by James R. Arnold. At Marengo, Napoleon defeated the Austrians. General Jean Moreau beat the combined Austrian and Bavarian armies at Hohenlinden. These campaigns secured Napoleon's dictatorship.

Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern. Reconstructs a mission of conquest inspired by glory, executed in haste, and bound for disaster.

Battle of Austerlitz

Austerlitz: Napoleon and the Eagles of Europe by Ian Castle. Illustrated account of Napoleon's greatest victory and the campaign that preceded it. Reconstructs the action in every sector of the Austerlitz battlefield, using French, Austrian and Russian records.

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia by Theodore Ayrault Dodge. This book traces Napoleon's state of mind and the factors behind his decisions, using personal letters and genuine reports.

The Burning of Moscow: Napoleon's Trial by Fire 1812 by Alexander Mikaberidze. Napoleon's month-long stay in Moscow was a pivotal moment in the war of 1812 -- the moment when the initiative swung towards the Tsar's armies and spelled doom for the invading Grand Army.

Napoleon 1814: The Defence of France by Andrew Uffindell. In 1814, Napoleon was faced with an Allied invasion. The intense, fast-moving campaign that followed has been widely hailed as one of his greatest feats as a commander. This study reassesses Napoleon's military leadership and the campaign.

Napoleon: The Imperial Household by Sylvain Cordier. The Imperial Household consisted of the grand chaplain, grand master of ceremonies, grand marshal of the Palace, grand master of the hunt, grand chamberlain, and grand equerry. Featured here are more than 250 works of fine and decorative art.

Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France. From his Corsican origins to his ignominious defeat, trace the life and career of one of the most influential and controversial figures in history. From A&E's "Biography" series.

Napoleon and Wellington. Follow the story of the great military leaders who clashed at Waterloo. Discover the one fateful decision that told the outcome of the see-saw fight.

Napoleon: The Myth, the Battles, the Legend. Documentary. Step inside Napoleon's world through dramatic recreations of key events and large-scale reconstructions of his campaigns. An entertaining portrait of an extraordinary life.

Napoleon. Epic 1927 silent film about the emperor. A classic. Out of print, but sometimes available from Amazon.